From the FortMose.com site.
On Wednesday, I blogged about the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen being commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith in the attack on Fort Mose outside St. Augustine, Florida.
Thomas Smith was born in Essex County, Virginia in 1781 and his family later moved to Wilkes County, Georgia (also an area tied up with the George Matthews, governor of Georgia and commander of the Patriots).
He was appointed from Georgia (no mention of appointed to what, but here I imagine he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point) and promoted to 2nd lieutenant in 1803. Smith advanced through the ranks to Lt. Colonel by 1810 and was appointed to the rank of colonel while doing duty in Florida.
After Florida, he joined General Harrison's army and served in the Armies of the North, rising to the rank of brigadier general in January 1814.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Fort Mose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Mose. Show all posts
Friday, May 15, 2015
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Fort Mose Historic State Site, Florida-- Part 3
A wall was built around the settlement with dwellings inside it. An earthen fort was also constructed.
It is believed that Fort Mose's existence was a big reason for the South Carolina Stono Rebellion in September 1739.
In 1740, James Oglethorpe led a retaliatory British attack and siege on Fort Mose, but was defeated by a combined force of Spanish, Indians and free black militia. The fort, however, was destroyed and Oglethorpe retreated back to Georgia. The Fort Mose inhabitants then stayed in St. Augustine until 1752 when the fort was rebuilt and blacks relocated there.
East Florida was ceded to the British by the Treaty of Paris ending the Seven Years War (French and Indian in North America) in 1763 and most blacks around St. Augustine migrated to Cuba which was still a Spanish possession. At that time it was estimated that the black population of Fort Mose and St. Augustine numbered around 3,000 with about 1/4 being free.
--Brock-Perry
It is believed that Fort Mose's existence was a big reason for the South Carolina Stono Rebellion in September 1739.
In 1740, James Oglethorpe led a retaliatory British attack and siege on Fort Mose, but was defeated by a combined force of Spanish, Indians and free black militia. The fort, however, was destroyed and Oglethorpe retreated back to Georgia. The Fort Mose inhabitants then stayed in St. Augustine until 1752 when the fort was rebuilt and blacks relocated there.
East Florida was ceded to the British by the Treaty of Paris ending the Seven Years War (French and Indian in North America) in 1763 and most blacks around St. Augustine migrated to Cuba which was still a Spanish possession. At that time it was estimated that the black population of Fort Mose and St. Augustine numbered around 3,000 with about 1/4 being free.
--Brock-Perry
Fort Mose State Historic Site, Florida-- Part 2
The Spanish began offering asylum to slaves from the British colonies as early as 1687. In 1693, they proclaimed that runaway slaves could be free in Florida if they converted to the Catholic religion and gave four years of military service.
Spain planned essentially to use the blacks as a buffer between St. Augustine and an English attack from the north.
In 1738, Fort Mose was built and escaped slaves directed there on arrival. Its leader wasan African-European Creole named Francisco Menendez.
Fort Mose was the very first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what eventually became the United States and eventually had 100 people.
--Brock-Perry
Spain planned essentially to use the blacks as a buffer between St. Augustine and an English attack from the north.
In 1738, Fort Mose was built and escaped slaves directed there on arrival. Its leader wasan African-European Creole named Francisco Menendez.
Fort Mose was the very first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what eventually became the United States and eventually had 100 people.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Fort Mose Historic State Park, Florida-- Part 1
From Wikipedia.
Originally known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose and a U.S. National Historic Landmark since Oct. 12, 1994. located two miles north of St. Augustine, Florida. Also known as Fort Moosa or Fort Mossa after the Spanish pronunciation.
The original site of the 18th century fort and settlement was uncovered in a 1986 archaeological dig. Twenty-four acres now administered by the Florida State Parks and the premier site on the Florida Black Heritage Trail.
In 1738, the Spanish colonial government established it as a free black settlement.
--Brock-Perry
Originally known as Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose and a U.S. National Historic Landmark since Oct. 12, 1994. located two miles north of St. Augustine, Florida. Also known as Fort Moosa or Fort Mossa after the Spanish pronunciation.
The original site of the 18th century fort and settlement was uncovered in a 1986 archaeological dig. Twenty-four acres now administered by the Florida State Parks and the premier site on the Florida Black Heritage Trail.
In 1738, the Spanish colonial government established it as a free black settlement.
--Brock-Perry
The Patriot War and Fort Mose-- Part 2
In March, these forces seized Fernadina on Amelia Island, right on the Georgia border. Next order of business was to capture St. Augustine, further south.
On April 12, 1812, the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith, occupied Fort Moosa (Fort Mose) near St. Augustine. The Spanish attacked and drove Smith back to an encampment further from St. Augustine.
On May 11, 1812, the Spanish set fire to the fort to prevent it being reoccupied by the Americans in another attempt at taking St. Augustine.
--Brock-Perry
On April 12, 1812, the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith, occupied Fort Moosa (Fort Mose) near St. Augustine. The Spanish attacked and drove Smith back to an encampment further from St. Augustine.
On May 11, 1812, the Spanish set fire to the fort to prevent it being reoccupied by the Americans in another attempt at taking St. Augustine.
--Brock-Perry
The Patriot War and Fort Mose-- Part 1
From the FortMose.com site.
Beginning January 1811, a clandestine attempt was made by the United States to take Florida from its Spanish rulers. A secret Act was passed by Congress "to enable the President of the United States, under certain contingencies, to take possession of the country lying east of the river Perdido, and south of the State of Georgia and the Mississippi Territory [East Florida] and for other purposes."
U.S. citizens in Georgia were recruited to start an apparent rebellion in Spanish settlements. This was done to provide a pretext for U.S. troops to be sent in to restore order.
Only, they were to remain there and claim the land for the country.
--Brock-Perry
Beginning January 1811, a clandestine attempt was made by the United States to take Florida from its Spanish rulers. A secret Act was passed by Congress "to enable the President of the United States, under certain contingencies, to take possession of the country lying east of the river Perdido, and south of the State of Georgia and the Mississippi Territory [East Florida] and for other purposes."
U.S. citizens in Georgia were recruited to start an apparent rebellion in Spanish settlements. This was done to provide a pretext for U.S. troops to be sent in to restore order.
Only, they were to remain there and claim the land for the country.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 9: Fort Mose
The blacks who fought the Patriots mentioned in post #7 were from Fort Mose, located about two miles north of Augustine (pronounced Mos-say). It was established in 1738 as a free black settlement and is a historical site today.
--Brock-Perry
--Brock-Perry
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